The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the time during this important debate. In my view, for a country, a business, or agriculture—indeed anything—acting on data is crucial. Through data gathering, storage and protection at the state level, we can progress. The government shows great interest in data. When issues arose, they tried to collect data—for example, the rush to count children when a coconut issue surfaced. But they failed to deliver results due to lack of data.

¶ 02 Despite much talk today on data, protection and digitization, what did speakers actually say? The previous Minister spoke at length, but under his Ministry about 250 tea factories have closed—yet he did not mention that. He boasts of 6.8% growth, but ignores that roughly 250 tea factories have shut since they came—sometimes even set on fire, forced to close. They are now in office but cannot manage those institutions; around 250 tea factories have closed, and they do not investigate why.

¶ 03 The Sevanagala Sugar Factory is on the verge of closure. Farmers are not receiving usual prices; cane harvests are left on tractors; over 2,000 jobs are at risk. Yet they claim the country is improving. There is talk, but in action it is different. They speak of national security, but today we daily see shootings and killings.

¶ 04 This morning I received a call from Anuradhapura big onion farmers. Some sold to companies; others held stock hoping for higher prices. Now 117 containers of imported onions are being cleared, while our local traders who bought at 160 must now fight with Rs. 57 prices. You taxed rice at Rs. 65 when importing earlier; rice is a staple. Now, to protect poultry farmers, you have orphaned the onion farmer—had you possessed data on local production, this would not have happened. Where is your data? Why import so much and not impose relevant duties when local harvests come to market?

¶ 05 You also spoke loudly of purchasing paddy. Did you reach your targets? Your actions have failed.

¶ 06 Previously you danced about building a thousand tanks; now you launched “Clean Sri Lanka” with great fanfare. Do we hear of Clean Sri Lanka now? Those institutions are being dismantled; Clean Sri Lanka has faded from the map—no talk of it, only talk of other things.

¶ 07 You say you established 151 local authorities. We know our political culture. After the presidential election, a general election followed within 48 hours of dissolution, which brought many to Parliament. Today you have taken power in local authorities, pushing aside others; in Anuradhapura, of 19 bodies, you control 16, and previous JVP members have been given chairmanships while others have none.

¶ 08 [Interjections and disorder; offensive remarks were expunged by order of the Chair.]

¶ 09 Madam Deputy Chairperson, allow me to continue. We are pained when we speak. We are presenting the data you ignore. You have fallen into pacts and become hypocritical. We speak of realities on the ground and your failures. You came on a wave, not by long dedication. Do not try to make your slogans into reality without results. If you have data, deliver what you promised. We see how you are calculating now—trying to seize local authority power through pressure. If people have voted, power must be established accordingly.

¶ 10 [Further exchanges and time warnings.]

¶ 11 Those who beat their chests sat for 60 years—what have you newly established today? Do not beat your chests. Thank you.